US5884191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interface system for providing hands-free operation of a radiotelephone and accessories in a mobile office environment
Assignee: BlackBerry Ltd
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Filing: 1996-09-06
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2016-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An interface system for connecting various accessory devices to a radiotelephone and arbitrating between conflicting requests for access to the audio channel of the radio telephone by the accessory devices. Included is a controller for controlling operation of the interface system and a switch for connecting the audio channel of the selected accessory to the audio channel of the radiotelephone. A method is also provided for entering user selected operational settings for controlling operation of the interface system and prioritizing access to the radiotelephone.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Joseph Karpus
- 👤 Patrik Hans Lilja
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/60; H04M1/6033; H04M1/6041; H04M1/6075; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/3833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and a fibre optic cable coupling the plurality of accessory devices to the switch and the controller, said fibre optic cable for transmitting optical signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and a fibre optic cable coupling the plurality of accessory devices to the switch and the controller, said fibre optic cable for transmitting optical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and an electromagnetic coupler connecting the plurality of accessory devices to the switch and the controller, said electromagnetic coupler for transmitting wireless signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and an electromagnetic coupler connecting the plurality of accessory devices to the switch and the controller, said electromagnetic coupler for transmitting wireless signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and wherein the switch comprises: a centrally located portion; and a remotely located portion external to the centrally located portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
An interface device for arbitrating between, and effectuating access by, a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel, said interface device comprising: a controller for controlling operations of the interface system; a switch operatively responsive to said controller, said switch for effectuating access by the plurality of accessory devices to the radiotelephone audio channel; a request generator for generating requests to the controller for access to the audio channel of the radiotelephone by the plurality of accessories; and wherein the switch comprises: a centrally located portion; and a remotely located portion external to the centrally located portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interface device of claim 3, further comprising an input device for entering user-selected operational mode settings, the operational mode settings being communicated to the controller and altering operation of the controller.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
165 words
An method for arbitrating and effectuating access by a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel said method comprising the steps of: connecting the radiotelephone audio processor to a bidirectional terminal on a first side of a switch; connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a plurality of bidirectional terminals on a second side of the switch; connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a controller via a request link; generating a request by at least one of the plurality of accessory devices; transmitting the request to the controller via the request link; arbitrating by the controller to select between competing requests from the plurality of accessory devices for access to the audio channel of the radio telephone; instructing the switch by the controller to connect the selected accessory to the audio processor of the radiotelephone; and switching the switch to connect the first side of the switch to the second side of the switch associated with the selected accessory.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
165 words
An method for arbitrating and effectuating access by a plurality of accessory devices competing for access to a radiotelephone audio channel said method comprising the steps of: connecting the radiotelephone audio processor to a bidirectional terminal on a first side of a switch; connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a plurality of bidirectional terminals on a second side of the switch; connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a controller via a request link; generating a request by at least one of the plurality of accessory devices; transmitting the request to the controller via the request link; arbitrating by the controller to select between competing requests from the plurality of accessory devices for access to the audio channel of the radio telephone; instructing the switch by the controller to connect the selected accessory to the audio processor of the radiotelephone; and switching the switch to connect the first side of the switch to the second side of the switch associated with the selected accessory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5, further including the step of entering user-selected operational mode settings, the operational mode settings being communicated to the controller and altering operation of the controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the steps of connecting the radiotelephone audio processor to a bidirectional terminal on a first side of a switch, connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a plurality of bidirectional terminals on a second side of the switch, and connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a controller are effectuated using an electrical cable for transmitting electrical signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the steps of connecting the radiotelephone audio processor to a bidirectional terminal on a first side of a switch, connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a plurality of bidirectional terminals on a second side of the switch, and connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a controller are effectuated using a fibre optic cable for transmitting optical signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the steps of connecting the radiotelephone audio processor to a bidirectional terminal on a first side of a switch, connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a plurality of bidirectional terminals on a second side of the switch, and connecting the plurality of accessory devices to a controller are effectuated using electromagnetic radiation for transmitting wireless signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |